Man fleeing from FHP trooper crashes into concrete wall in Clearwater

Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) arrested 54 year-old Dino Simco of Brooksville on charges of reckless driving with property damage, fleeing and eluding police, and driving under the influence with property damage. 

According to the arrest affidavit, a FHP trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Simco’s vehicle at approximately 11:57 a.m. on Friday, December 25, 2020. Simco was clocked at 93 mph in a 55 mph zone.  Simco failed to stop and willfully sped away from the trooper at a speed of 123 mph on Frontage Road, a 35 mph zone.  The trooper observed the driver fail to maintain a single lane, weave and drift from left to right, and nearly rear ending another vehicle. 

Troopers say that Simco failed to stop at two separate red traffic signals and drove on the shoulder of the roadway.  Sinco attempted to turn left at the intersection of US Hwy 19 and NE Coachman Road at high speed and crashed into the concrete wall under US Hwy 19.

According to arrest information, Simco refused testing for sobriety but troopers noted bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol from his breath.

Simco was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg at a trauma alert.